Index photograph, exposed film package, and film package producing system

ABSTRACT

An exposed film package for preserving one strip of exposed photographic film includes a film sheath, which has plural pockets. Plural film pieces are formed by cutting the one strip of the exposed film, and contained respectively in the pockets in the film sheath. An index photograph is constituted of photographic paper, on which positive images of frames from the one strip of the exposed film are printed. The photographic paper has a size substantially equal to the film pieces. The positive images are formed in reducing a size of the frames, and grouped in association with the film pieces. Groups of the positive images are arranged in consideration of an order of exposure of the frames. The index photograph is contained in one of the pockets in association with the film pieces constituting the one strip.

This is a Rule 53(b) Divisional of Application Ser. No. 08/362,902 filedDec. 23, 1994, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an index photograph, an exposed filmpackage, and a film package producing system. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to an index photograph which can be combinedwith an exposed film package containing an exposed film, and to a filmpackage producing system.

2. Description Related to the Prior Art

A known index photograph is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,805,039 and4,966,285. Frames on an exposed negative film are arranged in a matrix,and printed on photographic paper in a reduced size to obtain the indexphotograph, which is useful for easy recognition of all the frames onthe negative film. To produce an index photograph, a plurality of filmpieces are arranged. The negative film is cut into the film pieces to becontained in the film sheath. The film pieces are then arranged on astage in the same manner as contained in the film sheath. The filmpieces on the stage are retained by a mask plate. The rear of the filmpieces is illuminated, so as to print reduced images on photographicpaper through a printing lens for reduction in size.

The index photograph has an aspect ratio equal to a contour of the filmsheath. The film sheath should be preserved with the index photograph,but might be separated inadvertently from the film sheath, and be lost,as the index photograph has a size that is not convenient for containingand preservation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing problems, an object of the present invention isto provide an index photograph which is prevented from being lost evenafter long preservation with exposed negative film, and an exposed filmpackage, and a film package producing system.

In order to achieve the above and other objects and advantages of thisinvention, an index sheet, constituted of image-recording material onwhich positive images of frames from one strip of exposed photographicfilm are recorded is provided. The strip of the exposed film is cut intoplural film pieces. The image-recording material has a sizesubstantially equal to the film pieces. The positive images are formedin reducing a size of the frames, and grouped in association with thefilm pieces. Groups of the positive images are arranged in considerationof an order of exposure of the frames.

In an exposed film package for preserving one strip of exposedphotographic film, a film sheath has plural pocket portions open along alengthwise edge of the film sheath. Plural film pieces are formed bycutting the one strip of the exposed film, and the pieces are containedrespectively in the pocket portions in the film sheath. An index sheetare constituted of an image-recording material on which positive imagesof frames from the one strip of the exposed film are recorded. Theimage-recording material has a size substantially equal to the filmpieces. The positive images are formed while reducing a size of theframes, and grouped in association with the film pieces. Groups of thepositive images are arranged in consideration of an order of exposure ofthe frames. The index sheet is contained in one of the pocket portionsin association with the film pieces constituting the one strip.

To produce an exposed film package, respective exposed photographic filmis cut into film pieces at a predetermined length, to insert the filmpieces into pocket portions in a film sheath material. The film piecesis so inserted that one of the pocket portions remains empty besidepocket portions associated with film pieces having been inserted in thefilm sheath material. The film sheath material is wound as a roll afterinsertion of the film pieces. The film sheath material is unwound fromthe roll, to insert an index sheet into the empty pocket portion inassociation with the exposed film. The index sheet is constituted ofphotosensitive material on which images from the exposed film arerecorded in reduction in size, and arranged in groups associated withthe film pieces, the photosensitive material having a size substantiallyequal to the film pieces. A film sheath is cut from the film sheathmaterial after insertion of the index sheet, to obtain the exposed filmpackage. The exposed film package includes the film pieces constitutingthe exposed film, the index sheet, and the film sheath containing thefilm pieces and the index sheet.

In a system of producing the exposed film package, a film cuttinginserter section cuts the exposed film into the film pieces, and insertsthe film pieces into the pocket portions in the film sheath. An indexsheet stacker device stacks index sheets in an order of exposed filmsassociated with the index sheets, each of the index sheets constitutedof image-recording material on which positive images of frames from thestrip of the exposed film are recorded in reduction in size, theimage-recording material having a size substantially equal to the filmpieces. A sheet inserter section receives the index sheets from thestacker device and inserts the index sheets into the pocket portions,each of the index sheets contained in the exposed film package inassociation with the film pieces constituting the one strip.

Further, a pick-up device picks up the frames of the exposed film, togenerate a frame signal. A printer device is connected to the pick-updevice, and prints the index sheet. In the printer device, an imagetreating section produces a combined image in which positive images ofthe frame from the exposed frames of the strip are arranged in groupsassociated with the film pieces. The combined image is produced at areduction in size. An image recorder section records on theimage-recording material in accordance with a signal of the combinedimage to produce the index sheet.

In the present invention, the index photograph can be prevented frombeing lost after preservation with the exposed negative film. The sizeof the index photograph is compatible with the film sheath. At the timeof extra printing, the index photograph can be utilized to recognizeeasily each of the frames.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description when read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an index photograph of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an exposed film package with theindex photograph;

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating part of the exposed film package inenlargement;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a system of producing theexposed film package;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a video printer;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view generally illustrating a film cuttinginserter;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating an index photograph stacker andan index photograph inserter section;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating part of the film cuttinginserter;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating another system of producing theexposed film package;

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating an index photograph for a12-exposure film;

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating an index photograph for a36-exposure film;

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a preferred embodiment in which anindex film piece is used; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating an index photograph insertersection in which a continuously formed index photograph is cut andinserted into a film sheath.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE PRESENTINVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an index photograph 10 produced for a 135 film of 24exposures, which is cut into five film pieces 11 a to 11 e asillustrated in FIG. 2. As is known in the art, the 135 film standardizedfor 24 exposures can be used for taking at most 27 exposures at thepositions of frame numbers “00, 0, 1, 2, . . . , 24, E”, where 00 and 0are located on a film leader, and E is located on a film trailer. Anexample of a commercially available product capable of taking 27exposures in photography, is a lens-fitted film unit having a trade name“Fujicolor Quick Snap +3” sold by the assignee of the present invention.In a similar manner, it is possible on 12-exposure or 36-exposure filmto take at most 15 or 39 exposures inclusive of three additionalexposures.

Each film piece is formed by cutting the filmstrip at the length of sixframes, as is known in the art. As the 135 film for the 24 exposures canbe provided with three frames additional to 24 frames, the single stripof negative film is cut into at least the five film pieces 11 a to 11 eas illustrated in FIG. 2. In view of the 27 exposures at most, the firstfilm piece 11 a and the fifth film piece 11 e have fewer frames than thesecond to fourth film pieces 11 b to 11 d, and have smaller lengths. Inthe embodiment, the first film piece 11 a has four frames of Nos. 00, 0,1 and 2. The second film piece 11 b has six frames of Nos. 3 to 8. Thethird film piece 11 c has six frames of Nos. 9 to 14. The fourth filmpiece 11 d has six frames of Nos. 15 to 20. The fifth film piece 11 ehas five frames of Nos. 21 to 24 and E. Even if a negative film has noframes recorded at Nos. 00 and 0 close to the leader, the negative filmis cut between Nos. 2 and 3 to form the first film piece 11 a similarly.

In the present embodiment, negative film, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3,has been exposed in a camera of which a frame size is changeable betweena panoramic size and a full size. Frames with Nos. 7 and 11 are exposedat the panoramic size, and are also recorded on the index photograph 10,on which the panoramic size of Nos. 7 and 11 can be apparentlyrecognized. The frames on the index photograph 10 have a proportionallyreduced size. If other negative films have only full size frames, halfsize frames, and wide-vision (WV) size frames (at an aspect ratio equalto that of the High-Definition Television), the formats on the films aresimilarly reduced on the index photograph.

The index photograph 10 is formed to have a size equal to, or slightlysmaller than, each of the film pieces 11 b to 11 d having six frames.The index photograph 10 is insertable into pockets 13 a formed in a filmsheath 13 which is known in the art. The film sheath 13 is constitutedof continuous resinous film with transparent or translucentcharacteristic. The resinous film is folded in two, and welded togetheralong welding lines 13 b, e.g. a train of perforations, to define agreat number of the pockets 13 a arranged consecutively. A blank beltportion 13 c is formed along a bottom of each pocket 13 a, and used formanually writing the number of prints to be ordered in extra printing.

In FIG. 1, the index photograph 10 has two half areas 10 a and 10 barranged in its longitudinal direction. In the first half area 10 a,film piece images 15 a, 15 b and 15 c of the first to third film pieces11 a, 11 b and 11 c are recorded in three lines in positive fashion. Inthe second half area 10 b, film piece images 15 d and 15 e of the fourthand fifth film pieces 11 d and 11 e are recorded in two lines inpositive fashion. There are film piece numbers 16 recorded close to thefilm piece images 15 a to 15 e of the film pieces 11 a to 11 e.

The first and fifth film pieces 11 a and 11 e have fewer frames and thesmaller lengths, which cause the index photograph 10 to have twoimageless portions 14 a and 14 b. As the second half area 10 b has thefilm piece images 15 d and 15 e of only the two film pieces 11 d and 11e, an imageless portion 14 c is defined under the film piece image 15 eof the fifth film piece 11 e to be as great as the film piece image 15e.

In the imageless portion 14 a next to the film piece image 15 a of thefilm piece 11 a, a caption 17 is recorded, for example, time informationsuch as “1993 WINTER”, “1993 SUMMER” and “November 1993”, or title“ATHLETIC MEET” and “BIRTHDAY PARTY”. The caption 17 can be added by aphotofinisher as desired by a customer on photographer when aphotofinishing order is accepted. It is alternatively possible to addautomatically the caption 17 of only the date or season of acceptance ofthe photofinishing order. A negative film may be exposed in a camerawhich is capable of automatically writing information regardingphotography to the negative film. If there is caption informationincluded in the photographic information as recorded, the photofinishercan add the caption 17 to the index photograph according to the captioninformation.

In the imageless portion 14 b next to the fifth film piece image 15 e, acheck number 19, such as “Check No. 0038”, is recorded to represent thenumber of a check tape 18 (See FIG. 3) attached to the negative film inthe course of the photofinishing operation. It is possible through thecheck number 19 to associate the negative film with the index photograph10 without discerning the images visually.

A blank space 20 is formed in the imageless portion 14 c under the filmpiece image 15 e of the film piece 11 e, by printing the blank space 20to be white. The blank space 20 is used for the user to write objectinformation or the date of photography. Instead of the white blank space20 it is possible to record a film manufacturer name or a title “INDEXSHEET”. It is further possible to record various kinds of information: aphoto laboratory code in a form of number, exposure correcting data, andphotographic information which is written by a camera to a magneticrecording layer or photochemical data recording areas of the negativefilm.

In each positive image 25 of the frames on the film pieces 11 a to 11 e,a frame number 26 is recorded. The frame number 26, although depicted indark color in FIG. 1, is blank or white, in the a portion fully coloredblack in planar fashion. The frame number 26 is determined by use of abar code reader, which reads a frame number bar code 27 formed along anedge of the negative film, as shown in FIG. 3. If there is no image atNo. 00 or E as illustrated in FIG. 1, a blank is formed for itsassociated positive image 25, and visually indicates lack of exposure.

The index photograph 10 is produced at a size that is equal to each filmpiece by a video printer 30 and a paper processor 31, as illustrated inFIG. 4. A scanner 32 is connected to the video printer 30. The scanner32 is incorporated in a film processor 33 and disposed at its outlet fora negative film 34. The scanner 32 picks up each frame of the elongatednegative film 34 as developed by the film processor 33, and sends aframe signal to the video printer 30. The elongated negative film 34 isformed by splicing a number of strips of negative films at a filmsplicer 35 well-known in the art. The elongated negative film 34 afterdevelopment is inspected at each frame in passage through anotcher/puncher (not shown), and set in an auto printer 36, whichexposes color photographic paper to record images to be printed. Theelongated negative film 34 after the printing is cut by a film cuttinginserter 37 at a predetermined length, to obtain the film pieces 11 a to11 e as illustrated in FIG. 2, which are inserted into the film sheath13. Also, the index photograph 10 is inserted into the pocket 13 a.Accordingly an exposed film package 40 with the index photograph isobtained. The color paper printed in the auto printer 36 is treated in apaper processor (not shown) for development, cut by a paper cutter ateach frame, and classified regarding each of the filmstrips associatedwith the frames.

In the video printer 30, the frame signal read by the scanner 32 isdigitalized by an A/D converter 45, and written in a memory 46 color bycolor, as illustrated in FIG. 5. A controller 47 controls an imagesynthesizer 48, which reads a frame signal out of the memory 46 inthinned form, and synthesizes the thinned frame signal of each frame,the film piece number 16, the caption 17, the check number 19 and thenote blank 20 in a predetermined area while utilizing a preset format asillustrated in FIG. 1. To the image synthesizer 48, a sign datagenerator 49 is connected. The sign data generator 49 generates signdata inclusive of the film piece number 16, the caption 17, the checknumber 19 and the note blank 20, and sends the sign data to the imagesynthesizer 48. A combined image generated from the image synthesizer 48is written to a frame memory 50 associated with each of the threecolors. An image recorder section 51 exposes color paper 52 according toa laser beam system to print the combined image from the frame memory50. The color paper 52 as exposed is processed by the paper processor31, cut for each strip of negative film and at the size equal to thefilm pieces, and exited to a receptacle tray 53. Note that an imagetreating section of the video printer 30 is constituted of the A/Dconverter 45, the memory 46, the controller 47, the image synthesizer48, the sign data generator 49, and the frame memory 50.

The index photograph 10 for each filmstrip is set in an index photographstacker 60 in the cutting inserter 37, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Thecutting inserter 37 has a cutting inserter section 37 a which is knownin the art and to which the index photograph stacker 60 and an indexphotograph inserter section 61 are added. In the embodiment, the indexphotograph inserter section 61 is disposed upstream of a station forinserting the film pieces 11 a to 11 e. The index photograph 10 isinserted into the pocket 13 a prior to the insertion of the film pieces11 a to 11 e.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the index photograph stacker 60 consists of acase 63 which contains a number of index photographs 10 stacked from thebottom to the top in the order of the strips of the associated negativefilms. An advancing roller 64 is disposed to confront a bottom opening63 a in the case 63. The advancing roller 64 pulls a lowest one of theindex photographs 10 and advances it toward the index photographinserter section 61. The index photograph inserter section 61 includes apair of nip belts 66 and a guide plates 67. The nip belts 66 nip theindex photograph 10 as advanced, rotate, and insert it into the pocket13 a in the film sheath 13. The advancing roller 64 and the nip belts 66are rotated in synchronism by a motor 65. An electromagnetic clutch 65 ais associated with the advancing roller 64. After the index photograph10 is nipped by the nip belts 66, the advancing roller 64 is released tobe free by the clutch 65 a. Accordingly a second lowest one of the indexphotographs 10 is prevented from being advanced even in contact with theadvancing roller 64.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the cutting inserter section 37 a includes asplice sensor 70, an edge sensor 71, and a bar code reader 72 for framenumbers. The sensor 70 and 71 and the reader 72 generate detectingsignals, which are used to detect a position of splicing filmstrips, anedge position of each of the frames, and a frame number bar code. Twopairs of film transport rollers 73 and 74 and a cutter 75 are controlledto cut the film piece 11 from the elongated negative film 34 to beincluded in each filmstrip. The film piece 11 has a format the same asappears on the index photograph 10. When the single film piece 11 is cutoff and inserted in the pocket 13 a, then the pairs of the sheathtransport rollers 68 and 69 transport the film sheath 13 as far as onepocket 13 a. Similarly, next film piece is cut off and inserted into thepocket 13 a. A third last one of the film pieces constituting thefilmstrip is cut and inserted. At the same time, the index photographinserter section 61 inserts the index photograph 10 into the pocket 13a. After last film piece is inserted, the film sheath 13 is transportedas far as two pockets in intermittent fashion. The film pieces 11 ofnext filmstrip are cut off from the elongated negative film 34, and areinserted into the pocket 13 a. The film transport rollers 73 and 74 arerotated in synchronism by a motor 77. The upstream pair of the rollers73 are associated with an electromagnetic clutch 78, which enables onlythe downstream pair of the rollers 74 to rotate after cutting of eachfilm piece 11 to be inserted in the pocket 13 a.

The set of film pieces 11 is adjacent to another index photographproduced from negative film of a strip different from that constitutedby the set of film pieces 11, so that there is a border line positionedbetween the different strips. The border line is provided with a cuttingline as a train of perforations by a perforator 76. This makes it easyto cut the film sheath along the cutting line and to separate exposedfilm packages strip by strip. Note that it is possible to dispose asheet cutter instead of the perforator 76. The film sheath can be cutoff by a film cutting inserter without being wound in a form of roll.

In the above, there is an interval as much as two pockets 13 a betweenthe cutting inserter section 37 a and the index photograph insertersection 61. However it is possible to arrange the cutting insertersection 37 a and the index photograph inserter section 61 at an intervalcorresponding to two adjacent pockets 13 a.

In the above embodiment, the negative film is cut every six frames andaccording to a predetermined format, i.e. in positions between Nos. 2and 3, between Nos. 8 and 9, between Nos. 14 and 15, and between Nos. 20and 21, except for the leader and the trailer. Alternatively thepositions for cutting can be differently determined as desired. It ispossible for a film cutting inserter to generate cutting positioninformation in cutting of the negative film, and for a video printer toproduce an index photograph by operating according to cutting positioninformation as generated. Further, it is possible for a film cuttinginserter to have a cutting algorithm, and for a video printer topredetermine cutting positions for film pieces according to thealgorithm, to synthesize positive images of the film pieces.

In the above, the index photograph is inserted into the pocket beforethe insertion of the film pieces. It is also possible that the filmpieces are inserted before the insertion of the index photograph. Thefilm pieces are inserted, while reserving one empty pocket between afinal film piece from a first filmstrip and a first film piece from asecond filmstrip. The reserved pocket is used for receiving the indexphotograph.

In the above embodiment, the index photograph 10 is inserted by thecutting inserter 37 into the pocket. In contrast, a film sheath 81 canbe wound as a roll after a film cutting inserter 80 has inserted filmpieces and before an index photograph inserter 85 of a separate typeinserts an index photograph 86 int o the film sheath 81 while unwoundfrom the roll. Reference numeral 83 designates a single pocket, whichremains empty after the insertion of the film pieces and which receivesthe index photograph 86, to obtain an exposed film package with theindex photograph. In the embodiment, a scanner 89 generates a framesignal of each frame during inspection of the frame in a film analyzer88. In accordance with the frame signal a video printer/processor 90produces the index photograph 86. Elements similar to those of the aboveembodiment are designated with identical reference numerals. Althoughthe scanner 89 is associated with the film analyzer 88, it is possibleto incorporate a scanner in the film processor 33 to pick up the frames.Further, the index photograph inserter 85 can be integrated with, andlocated downstream of, the video printer/processor 90. Operation of thisintegrated index photograph inserter 95 is the same as the formerseparate one.

It is alternatively possible for an index photograph inserter to insertthe index photograph before winding the film sheath as a roll, whilereserving plural empty pockets as many as the film pieces to beinserted. Then the roll sheath is unwound, before the reserved pocketscan be used for receiving the film pieces.

In the above, the negative filmstrip has the length standardized for 24exposures. Alternatively negative films for 12 or 36 exposures may beused. It is possible on the filmstrip to take at most 15 or 39exposures. The film-strip for 12 exposures is cut into three filmpieces. The filmstrip for 36 exposures is cut into seven film pieces.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, an index photograph 100 for the 12-exposurefilm is provided with three film piece images 101 a to 101 c in positivefashion. There appears an imageless portion 100 a which is three timesas large as each of the film piece images 101 a to 101 c. Spaces 102 and103 are formed in the imageless portion 100 a. The space 102 is used forprinting data regarding photography and/or correction of exposure. Thespace 103 is blank and used for writing notes manually. In spite ofthis, it is possible to record the positive images in greater sizes thanthose of the former index photograph 10 for the 24 exposures and withoutforming the imageless portion 10 a. It is likely that the frames cannotbe juxtaposed in the same manner as the film pieces. However framenumbers can be recorded in association with positive images. Gaps asblanks can be formed between film piece images to specify the frames atwhich different film piece images are juxtaposed.

In FIG. 11, the index photograph 110 is produced for the 36-exposurefilm. At least seven film piece images 111 a to 111 g are recorded inpositive fashion. A factor of reducing the positive images is determineddifferently from the above embodiment, to record the smaller film pieceimages 111 a to 111 g than those of the index photograph 10 for 24exposures.

In the above, the film piece images 15 a to 15 e, 101 a to 101 c, 111 ato 111 g are arranged in three or four lines. Alternatively it ispossible to arrange film piece images in a different number of lines,i.e. two or five lines, in consideration of the standardized lengths ofthe films for 12, 24 or 36 exposures.

In the above, the color paper is used for producing the indexphotographs. Alternatively it is possible as illustrated in FIG. 12 touse color reversal film, on which frames are recorded at the format thesame as the above, to produce an index film piece 120 as index sheet.

In the above embodiments, the index photograph is previously formed atthe size equal to the film pieces and inserted into an associated pocketin the film sheath. Alternatively index photographs can be initiallyproduced in a form of continuous sheet, and be separated beforeinsertion into the pockets. In FIG. 13, an index photograph insertersection 150 is associated with a station of inserting an indexphotograph 154, and incorporated in the cutting inserter 37 in FIG. 8instead of the index photograph inserter section 61. In general, theindex photograph inserter section 150 is structurally similar to thecutting inserter section 37 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, an elongated index photograph as continuoussheet is wound as a roll 151, and set around a shaft 152. Cutting marksor indicia are formed on the elongated index photograph and associatedwith respective strips of negative films. The cutting marks are detectedby a mark sensor 153, and are used as a border position where theelongated index photograph is cut into index photograph 154. Theelongated index photograph is looped by a damper roller 155 and a guideroller 156, and transported by pairs or transport rollers 157 and 158 toa cutting position, where a cutter 160 cuts the elongated indexphotograph at the size of the film pieces. The index photograph 154 isinserted into a film sheath 161 by the transport rollers 158. Otherstructures are similar to those of the index photograph inserter section61 in FIG. 7. Elements similar to those of the former embodiment aredesignated with identical reference numerals. The index photograph 154is inserted, while reserving plural empty pockets as many as the filmpieces to be inserted. The reserved pockets are used for receiving thefilm pieces.

In the index photograph inserter section 150, the index photograph 154is inserted in the station before that for the insertion of film pieces.Alternatively it is possible for an index photograph inserter section toinsert the index photograph 154 in a station past that for film pieces.In the above, the index photograph inserter section 150 is integratedwith the cutting inserter section 37 a for the film pieces. In contrastan index photograph inserter section may be of a type separate from afilm cutting inserter for film pieces. The film pieces may be inserted,while reserving one empty pocket between a final film piece from a firstfilm-strip and a first film piece from a second filmstrip. The reservedpocket may be used for receiving the index photograph.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way of thepreferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to thosehaving skill in this field. Therefore, unless otherwise these changesand modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, theyshould be construed as included therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of producing an exposed film package,comprising steps of: cutting respective exposed photographic film intofilm pieces at a predetermined length, to insert said film pieces intopocket portions in a film sheath material, said film pieces so insertedthat one of said pocket portions remains empty beside pocket portionsassociated with film pieces having been inserted in said film sheathmaterial; winding said film sheath material as a roll after insertion ofsaid film pieces; unwinding said film sheath material from said roll, toinsert an index sheet into said empty pocket portion in association withsaid exposed film, said index sheet constituted of photosensitivematerial on which images from said exposed film are recorded inreduction in size, and arranged in groups associated with said filmpieces, said photosensitive material having a size substantially equalto said film pieces; and cutting a film sheath from said film sheathmaterial after insertion of said index sheet, to obtain said exposedfilm package, said exposed film package including said film piecesconstituting said exposed film, said index sheet, and said film sheathcontaining said film pieces and said index sheet.
 2. A method ofproducing an exposed film package, comprising steps of: inserting afirst index sheet into a pocket portion in a film sheath material, saidfirst index sheet constituted of photosensitive material on which imagesfrom exposed photographic film are recorded in reduction in size, saidphotosensitive material having a size substantially equal to said pocketportion; inserting a second index sheet into a pocket portion followingplural pocket portions in said film sheath material to follow saidpocket portion for said first index sheet; winding said film sheathmaterial as a roll after insertion of at least said first and secondindex sheets; unwinding said film sheath material from said roll, toinsert film pieces into said plural pocket portions in association withsaid first or second index sheet, said film pieces cut from said exposedfilm at a predetermined length, said images on said first or secondindex sheet being arranged in groups associated with said film pieces;and cutting a film sheath from said film sheath material after insertionof said film pieces, to obtain said exposed film package, said exposedfilm package including said film pieces constituting said exposed film,said first or second index sheet, and said film sheath containing saidfilm pieces and said first or second index sheet.